Rich Dixon is back.

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I’m going to do something a bit different and respond to one of Jon’s posts.

It’s the story of Martha and Mary. More accurately, the story of Martha getting upset because she didn’t think Mary was doing her share. And she wanted Jesus to notice.

I think I’ve told you before that I spend a lot of time talking to Jesus while I crank my handcycle. For some reason, this post sparked quite a conversation.

I’m certainly not the guy who sits around trying to look spiritual, but I also wouldn’t have identified myself as a “Martha,” someone who fusses about whether others are doing their share. But as I cranked along, I wondered – how preoccupied am I with comparing my efforts to those of others?

Paraphrasing one of Jon’s statements – Am I concentrating so hard on comparing that I’m not listening to Jesus WHILE I’m working?

The answer, I fear, might be YES. So, I’m not trying to look spiritual, but maybe what I really want is for Jesus to somehow recognize how much I’m doing? And perhaps pat me on the back?

I love riding my handcycle, but perhaps there’s some secret place in my heart that also wants to be rewarded for all those miles?

Something else happened that frequently happens when I have those kinds of conversations on my bike.

Paraphrasing another of Jon’s statements – as Jesus and I talked, I was DOING the work without being DISTRACTED BY the work.

The miles melted away. And Jesus and I talked, I didn’t notice the wind, or the heat, or the sweat, or the effort. 30 miles disappeared under my wheels.

When I got home, I wrote down two thoughts.

Grateful for the work I’ve been given.

Grateful for the ability to still do this work.

There’s a lot of “I” in this little parable. I hope you’ll discover something of yourself as well.